Upgrade to Live gold, get free XBLA game or DLC
by Dustin Burg 
{ Dec 24th 2008 at 9:45AM }
'Tis the season for giving and Microsoft refuses to be labeled as a "scrooge" this holiday, so they're giving away free downloadable goodies. That is, if you're currently an Xbox Live silver member who is willing to pay to upgrade to gold.
Both U.S. and some European countries can score either a free Xbox Live Arcade game or downloadable content for upgrading to gold Live. Each offer requires silver Live members to upgrade to a gold 12 month subscription prior to January 5th and the account upgrade must be done online. Then, once the subscription is paid in full, you'll get to select from a variety of free XBLA games and DLC that's specific to each offer. Free goodies including N+, Zuma, Marble Blast, H3 Legendary Map Pack and more. Click the offers below to get all the details and get learned about the specifics.
[Via Joystiq, Thanks Jonathan]
Source - Free gift for U.S. Xbox Live
Source - Free gift for European Xbox Live
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TehMuff1nM4n @ Dec 24th 2008 9:56AM
Still makes more sense to buy a prepaid card off Amazon. 13 month card off Amazon = $39, buy the Arcade game you want or DLC for $10 max = $49, If you buy off Xbox.com it is $50, you only get 12 months and there is the risk you won't get your game. So yea, I would rather save the $1 and get an extra month.
offday @ Dec 24th 2008 9:58AM
I'm confused. I understand you have to do it before Jan 5th, but when did it start? I just renewed my Live like Dec. 12th.
offday @ Dec 24th 2008 10:04AM
Just checked. The website says starting dec. 23rd, but on Xbox Live it actually says dec. 24th so who knows. GHEY. I would have waited if I knew I'd be getting a free game. Thanks a lot MS.
Commando62 @ Dec 24th 2008 10:06AM
I did the exact same thing as you, Offday. I too would like to know when this started.
Also, I'm not trying to complain here, I think what they are doing is a great thing. However, what about rewarding some of us old faithfuls? That would truly be spreading the Christmas cheer!
offday @ Dec 24th 2008 10:11AM
I agree. I've had Live for over 3 years and the only free game I've ever received was that dumb undertow game.
Even the people who have had Xbox Live since it started only got like 400 points when Xbox Live had their 5th anniversary. Weak.
Studley @ Dec 24th 2008 10:09AM
Anyone notice on the European link, they're advertising Sonic as one of the free titles, but they've used a screenshot from Sonic 2?
Just me? I must be getting old :(
Sneeches @ Dec 24th 2008 10:07AM
What about canada? Stupid M$
SadisticHam @ Dec 24th 2008 10:09AM
"must be done online"
And it was going so well to that point. No thanks Microsoft, to much of a pain in the ass to cancel it again.
chris @ Dec 24th 2008 2:07PM
does it have to be a silver account or can you just renew your gold one?
Ben @ Dec 24th 2008 10:41AM
what about all the people who already have been putting money in MS's pockets? Can't we get anything?
Shawn @ Dec 24th 2008 11:49AM
Queue the complainers who :
A) already have Live Gold and want something free.
B) upgraded within in the past month and get nothing.
C) would do this but its to hard or want a different game.
Did I miss anyone?
offday @ Dec 24th 2008 11:56AM
You forgot
D) Shawn - a poor friendless boy who defends huge corporations such as Microsoft.
Shawn @ Dec 24th 2008 12:24PM
I have plenty of friends. I also don't need to bash MS because they make lots of money and are a big corporation. This is a nice thing to get people to upgrade. Some people are never happy.
Andrew @ Dec 24th 2008 4:35PM
I agree 100% with Shawn. No corporation could ever please everyone.
Jayenkai @ Dec 24th 2008 12:00PM
Hmmm...
Sonic, Zuma, Marble Blast, Assault Heroes and 3D Mini Golf...
Pick one?!?!
I upgraded a few weeks ago, and inexplicably got Sonic, Zuma, Marble Blast, Assault Heroes and .. Bomberman.. ALL for free, without any previous notice..
*shrugs*
I didn't complain!
KineticOnline @ Dec 24th 2008 1:24PM
"This offer is only available to customers who subscribe to Xbox LIVE directly through Xbox LIVE, not using a prepaid card."
Maybe if there was a qay to remove card details from the system, and prevent it resubscribing again i would consider it.
KineticOnline @ Dec 24th 2008 1:28PM
I checked and it doesnt say the same for the US, but then i also noticed the US get better (newer) games and a larger range to choose from.
Europe gets shafted again :(
halongw77 @ Dec 24th 2008 1:47PM
OK this is ridiculous. Why do think Nintendo's and Sony's online service pales in comparison to Xbox Live? Because they are free. Had Sony dedicated themselves to creating a truly great online service like Live they would be charging guaranteed. Xbox Live is only $50 a YEAR. Pull your head out of your asses and realize that the fact they charge is because they can and why is that? Because Sony and Nintendo slack off with their online service which basically tells the people that Sony and Nintendo are the standards and Xbox Live is the higher standard so you have to pay for it. Do you think Microsoft's goal is to not make a cent and continue their dedication to the Xbox? Look at Sony and Nintendo's dedication to the PS3 and Wii. Nintendo has finally come up with a storage solution which is just direct SD card reading that could've been there at launch. Sony has finally released Home Beta which is nothing special after all the hype and oh yeah, the PS3 has had in-game XBM for a while but how long were we without in-game XMB with no way to access our friends? A pretty long while. The Xbox 360 now has a much much larger collection of movie rentals and tv purchases than the PS3, it has a brand new dashboard interface which absolutely destroys the XMB in nearly every way, the Xbox 360 has had in-game dashboard since launch plus with the NXE it has improved greatly allowing to access more content and to go anywhere on the NXE etc. etc. etc. Microsoft's continued support has been excellent. Now I won't forget about the hardware issues no, but they have given us free warranties which is pretty great and they have been trying to fix the problems. They are much better now then back then. I am a victim of 4 broken Xbox's and yet I defend them. Why? Because even though I had to deal with sending them in only to receive another broken Xbox I finally got one that they guaranteed me works (because they put new parts in it, I emailed that Steve Ballmer guy and the secretary emailed back with some special number) and it has worked for over 7 months. Haven't had a problem since. I still Microsoft because they have dedicated themselves to the most software and firmware support as well. Also unrelated to Xbox I support Microsoft because of what they have done with the Zune and with the firmware updates by far surpasses the iPod (but since the new Zune pad they've surpassed the iPod in terms of hardware already) and Microsoft has just upgraded their Zune Pass deal allowing me to keep 10 songs permanently for every month of Zune Pass I purchase which means basically it costs $5 a month for unlimited songs which is a great deal. Also Zune's new software is WAY better than iTunes. Microsoft has their support for their products covered than more people know.
I don't mind paying $50 a YEAR for a great service that continues to improve and is already miles ahead of Sony and Nintendo's online service. By the way I own a PS3 and a Wii. I also owned an Xbox, Gamecube and PS2. I am by no means a fanboy, I just support Microsoft because the support they have given me as a consumer. Despite it's hardware problems I still support them. If PS3 had the same support as Xbox though I'd probably be rooting for them seeing as how their hardware hasn't had many problems.
Also if you have access to the Internet you
A. Have a computer/laptop and are paying for Internet service
B. Have a laptop and are at a local hotspot
C. Have a computer/laptop and are on another local network
D. Still live with your mommy and daddy
E. Other, somehow you are on Xbox Fanboy
All of the above probably cost quite a bit of money but you know I could also mention how you all have an Xbox 360 as well (well at least you should if you are complaining). But if D applies to you then I can see why you can't afford Live. But if any of the others apply to you you probably can afford Live. And look I'm not trying to be disrespectful, most of everyone right now is suffering from financial issues because of the economy of course or maybe something tragic has happened in your family that requires money but you don't need to continue to bash Microsoft for charging $50 a year which is a pretty damn good price for a great Live service. Almost everything in this world costs money and almost every single company will continue to charge the same if not more regardless of the economy. So if it's because of the economy then you might as well bash every other company in existence.
Kinsey @ Dec 24th 2008 2:08PM
BOW DOWN TO THE SUPREME COMMANDER XBOX FANBOY!!!
Holy jeez man you should like be a spokes person for Microsoft and get paid for that shit.
roflhausen @ Feb 25th 2009 10:11AM
TOO LONG DIDN'T READ
tlaloc @ Dec 24th 2008 10:04PM
Bluntly, it's a lame ass deal and not available on Australia anyway. Great. Happy (deleted) Christmas.
natakou @ Dec 24th 2008 2:44PM
@halongw77 did he cum already? M$ that is
Graeme Q @ Dec 25th 2008 4:20PM
Its not a promotion aimed at already paying customers so "NO" you can't have anything free.
Its a good idea over christmas as lots of lucky people will get xbox 360's and its a good deal to them. It helps tie them into the "MS are good, buy a new sub and we'll give you shit (yes, literally) for free."
Good plan MS.
People who already have a gold membership got the "freebie" as they would have (or at least should have) bought the sub from ebay and saved a tenner.
pibs @ Dec 26th 2008 1:15AM
Its a ripoff but for those who wish to renew via this method to get the arcade game and would like to remove their credit card info off live I suggest using my quick tutorial.
http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=119117
cheers
Phil @ Dec 28th 2008 7:40PM
This is in reference to the Free Gift with Gold Membership promotion going on until January 5th.
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/promotions/2008/holidaygift/default.htm
I received an Xbox 360 for Christmas and decided to upgrade to Xbox Gold to get a free game. I did everything that I was told to do and waited for the code to be sent to my email address. Nothing. So I checked my email address for accuracy and attempted to download it again. Nothing. Three days later (tonight) I decide to call Xbox's customer support. After sitting on the phone for an hour I got to the dirt...
Are you trying to pull a fast one on us, Xbox Live? Isn't this promo intended to get us to upgrade to Live Gold?
I've had a gamertag on Live (Silver) since December 6, 2008 and according to Xbox Live's Vino P., "you must create a new account AND sign up for Gold in order to get the promotion." This is total bologna. The content on the site states, "Offer good for new Gold members who sign up for an online 12-Month Xbox LIVE Gold memberships between 12/23/08 and 1/5/09 through Xbox.com or the Xbox 360 Console." He's trying to tell me that the phrase "sign up" refers to creating a new account, NOT upgrading to Xbox Live Gold. Therefore, I am not eligible for his promo. I tried to point out to him that it specifies a new Gold account, but he wasn't listening. Maybe I am being a bit blind to it, but does anyone else see his point? Or do you see it the way I see it... you upgrade to Gold, you get a free game.
Why is Xbox Live being this stingy with something as simple as a free arcade game download? Not good customer service whatsoever. And to top things off, Vino P. claims there is no one above him. When I asked to speak with his manager, he told me he was, "the supervisor," and if I call back that I will be directed back to him and given the same answer.